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The Everton squad circa 2015 will be a group of players that is fondly remembered by Toffees fans. In an era where they are currently struggling for any kind of form under Sean Dyche, reminiscing over old squads might make the Everton faithful miss players of yesteryear, and the squad almost a decade ago was certainly full of nostalgic players.

That was an era with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman in their primes, classic fullbacks who are some of the Premier League’s most underrated players. Romleu Lukaku was about to have the season of a lifetime in Blue, and a young Ross Barkley was thriving in midfield.

Another player who was arguably the Toffee’s most exciting attacker in that era was winger Gerard Deulofeu.

Gerard Deulofeu’s stats for Everton

A dynamic, tricky winger, Deulofeu was one of the Toffees’ biggest cult heroes circa 2015. He initially joined the club on loan for the 2013/14 campaign, before spending a year playing in his native Spain for Sevilla on loan from Barcelona, although he was injured for much of that season.

He clearly left a lasting impression on the Toffees, who agreed a deal with Barca in 2015 to re-sign the attacker. They paid £4.3m to bring him back to Goodison Park, signing an initial three-year deal.

He did not see out all three of those seasons, moving to AC Milan on loan for the second half of the 2016/17 campaign, before rejoining Barca in the summer of 2017. However, in that 2015/16 campaign, Deulofeu was electric.

The winger, who has been capped four times by Spain, played 33 times for the Toffees in his first season back at the club, scoring four goals and grabbing an impressive 12 assists. Of those goal involvements, ten came in the Premier League in 26 games, with the winger scoring twice and grabbing eight assists.

Sadly, his Everton career curtailed from there, and the Spaniard did not score again for the Toffees in the following campaign. However, he will no doubt be fondly remembered for his direct nature and crucial goals and assists.

In Dyche’s current squad, there is a similar player to Deulofeu, who Toffees fans will be hoping can have a similar impact and keep them in the Premier League this term. That player is Iliman Ndiaye.

Ndiaye’s season so far

Former Sheffield United attacker Ndiaye was a summer signing by the Toffees. According to BBC Sport, Everton paid French side Olympique Marseille a reported fee of £15m, on a five-year deal.

It has been a poor season for Dyche’s men so far, who find themselves in 16th place on four points, having conceded 15 goals already this campaign; only Wolves have let more in. They got their first win of the season last Saturday against Crystal Palace and a point the week before away to relegation rivals Leicester City.

Ndiaye was a crucial part of the draw against the Foxes, scoring his first league goal for the club to give them an early lead, although they could not hold on for the three points. He also got on the score sheet in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster Rovers.

He is one of only five players to get a goal or assist this season, in what has been a very poor start to the campaign for the Toffees. They have thrown away a 2-0 lead on two separate occasions in the top flight.

Everton most G/A in 2024/25 PL so far
Player	Games	Mins per game	G/A
Dwight McNeil	6	89	5
Dominic Calvert-Lewin	6	84	3
Ashley Young	4	84	2
Iliman Ndiaye	6	66	1
Michael Keane	5	90	1
Stats from Sofascore

Former Everton winger Aaron Lennon, a teammate of Deulofeu back in 2015, was full of praise for the Senegalese winger on talkSPORT last week. He called Ndiaye a “match-winner”, praising Dyche for putting him on the left wing, and explaining that he can strike up a formidable partnership with Dwight McNeil.

While it was McNeil who bailed Dyche out at the weekend after bagging a brilliant brace against the Eagles to seal a first win of the campaign, it is Ndiaye on the left flank who could well get bums of seats at Goodison this season.

It does feel like an area from which he can hurt an opposition, cutting inside and driving at the defence, just as Deulofeu used to do for the Toffees. It could prove to be an inspired move from the former Burnley manager, who is looking to keep Everton in the Premier League once again.

Lampard wanted to sign £42m PL star for Everton, they got McNeil instead

This is starting to look like the better deal…

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 2, 2024

What would be a success for Liverpool this season? Would it be dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League? Or would it be toppling Real Madrid or some other behemoth to conquer the Champions League for an English record-extending seventh time?

Such feats would immortalise Arne Slot, no doubt, but fans might be wise to temper their expectations. Liverpool have the players and the structure to achieve such lofty ambitions, but failing to do so would by no means point toward a failure at the start of a new era.

Liverpool sit atop the Premier League pile after six games, having also defeated AC Milan at the San Siro in their Champions League opener.

It’s been a remarkable start if you think about it, with illustrious boss Jurgen Klopp gone and only Federico Chiesa signed in the summer to reinforce a formidable frontline.

Everyone’s pulling their weight, although certain players still have so much more to give, with Dominik Szoboszlai the most obvious pick following his recent performances.

Dominik Szoboszlai's start to the season

Liverpool signed Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2022 as Klopp moved to revamp his struggling midfield. He had a £60m release clause and stand-in sporting director Jorg Schmadtke paid it in full to bring the dynamic number ten to Anfield.

Journalist Marcel Moeller had hailed Szoboszlai as a “generational talent” for his efforts in Germany, and so when he hit the ground running in the Premier League, it looked like the Kop and found its next superstar.

Ultimately though, his 2023/24 campaign left plenty to be desired but also showcased the ability that captured Klopp’s attention. As per FBref, Szoboszlai ranked among the top 17% of midfielders in the Premier League that year for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 4% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.

He dipped toward the end of Klopp’s tenure but looked to be revitalised under Slot’s wing, albeit failing to muster the kind of prolificness that is expected from a player of his pedigree and quality.

Culpable of a poor miss against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, the Hungary captain squandered the perfect chance to open his account in the Premier League this year, but his shot, straight at Sam Johnstone, was saved, and he is still yet to score, with one goal (in the Champions League) and one assist across seven games in all competitions.

Szoboszlai is a top talent but there’s a sense that he’s operating below his full potential, and this is frustrating. He needs to do more. Liverpool placed much faith in him when bringing him to Merseyside over one year ago, signing him despite holding a vested interest in Nicolo Barella.

When Liverpool nearly signed Nicolo Barella

Barella was routinely linked with a transfer to Liverpool over the final few years of Klopp’s reign, but it looked to come to a head in 2023. Liverpool, fallen into a ditch after a wretched 2022/23 campaign, needed major surgery. Jordan Henderson and his midfield coterie had lost their legs, had been sapped of their one-time vim and vigour.

Szoboszlai was joined by Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo in an effort to make sweeping changes, and it worked. That said, the Hungary star was the highest-costing venture by a distance though and has been outshone by both of Mac Allister and Gravenberch (this season).

Barella could have been the perfect statement signing to close Klopp’s Liverpool career. According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Liverpool really admired the Inter Milan midfielder and wanted to make their move, but were concerned by Newcastle United’s £52m signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, a deal that raised Inter’s valuation of their linchpin.

Reports from Italy that summer had also claimed that the Reds were eager to sign Barella, but it was actually Newcastle who made the first official move.

It emerged that the Magpies were closing in on a sensational £50m transfer for the Italy international in a deal worth about £50m in June 2023, but the deal ultimately broke down.

Liverpool never raised their intrigue to the next level and instead activated Szoboszlai’s exit clause. Would signing Barella have been the better move?

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

Expand Collapse How Nicolo Barella compares to Dominik Szoboszlai

Barella is earning legend status on the blue half of the San Siro, having chalked up 240 appearances in all competitions and playing an instrumental role in winning two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.

According to FBref’s player comparison model, Szoboszlai is Barella’s second-most comparable player, with the Italian ranking among the top 5% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90.

He’s an elite distributor, but he’s also a tenacious and industrious option and would have gelled nicely against the all-encompassing nature of Mac Allister and the new-found prowess at number six from Gravenberch.

That said, Slot’s system requires a forward-thrusted midfielder (Szoboszlai) to operate at its maximum. Barella is deeper-sitting and would not have the same effect in a more compact centre that leaves gaps in the half spaces between midfield and attack.

Nicolo Barella: Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Central midfield

334

29

52

Attacking midfield

36

1

4

Defensive midfield

21

3

3

Left midfield

2

0

0

Right midfield

1

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, his defensive metrics could see some improvement. As per Sofascore, Barella has averaged 0.8 tackles per game this season while only winning 33% of his ground duels – Szoboszlai, by comparison, has seen significant gains in that department, winning 51% of his ground duels in the Premier League.

Szoboszlai’s off-the-ball work and intensity offer Slot’s side something singular. He’s very important and must not be solely judged by his goal return, but it is a major point of the job that needs improving.

Hailed as a “genius” by sports editor Mike Pielluci, Barella is a similar player but perhaps more cultured and technically sharp in possession, and he could have been a tailor-made fit for this newly-shaped Liverpool team.

Still, Szoboszlai has plenty more to give, and he’s playing a role in a squad that’s currently at the top of the Premier League, with sights set on silver.

Related Slot could finally drop Szoboszlai by unleashing "special" Liverpool ace

The Hungary star is leaving fans wanting…

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 30, 2024

أعرب رئيس نادي بايرن ميونخ الألماني هربرت هاينر عن تفاؤله الحذر، بشأن إمكانية التوصل لاتفاق جديد مع جوشوا كيميتش لتجديد عقده.

بعد الإعلان مؤخرًا عن تمديد عقود مانويل نوير وألفونسو ديفيز وجمال موسيالا، يعمل العملاق البافاري الآن على ربط جوشوا كيميتش بصفقة جديدة.

طالع أيضًا | بيلد تكشف حقيقة اهتمام بايرن ميونخ بضم فان دايك.. وموقف برشلونة

ومن المفترض أن ينتهي عقد اللاعب الألماني بنهاية الموسم الجاري، ولا يزال مستقبله غير واضح، في ظل رغبة أندية مثل ريال مدريد وبرشلونة بضمه.

وفي تصريحات لصحيفة “Bayerischer Rundfunk” الألمانية، قال هربرت هاينر: “من الواضح أن كيميتش يريد أن يكون لديه فريق يستطيع المنافسة معه على الألقاب”.

وأضاف: “أنا متأكد من أنه يرى هدفنا وطموحنا من خلال تمديد العقود مع لاعبين مثل مانويل نوير وألفونسو ديفيز وجمال موسيالا”.

وأكمل: “أيضًا من خلال التعاقد مع لاعبين شباب مثل أوربيج وبيشوف، دليل على أن نادي بايرن ميونخ مستعد دائمًا لتحقيق أعلى الأهداف الرياضية، وتغيير الدماء من موسم لآخر”.

واختتم: “أنا متفائل بحذر بشأن إمكانية تجديد عقد كيميتش، ولكن في نهاية المطاف الأمر متروك له لاتخاذ القرار، لكنه يعرف جيدًا ما يمتلكه بايرن ميونخ”.

Alastair Cook and Tom Westley crashed big half-centuries as Essex crushed Middlesex by nine wickets in the Royal London Cup.England legend Cook clocked his 48th List A fifty to end 92 not out while Eagles captain Westley returned an unbeaten 87, the pair putting on 159 together.Essex were only chasing 212 after Shane Snater’s 3 for 45 and two-fors for Simon Harmer and Ryan ten Doeschate, and completed a comprehensive victory with 11 overs to spare to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition.Westley won the toss and restricted Middlesex to a below-par 212, with runs not flowing particularly freely on a green-tinged wicket under thick grey clouds.Sam Robson was the exception to the rule has he stroked 18 in nine balls before he was strangled down the leg-side by Snater. Joe Cracknell was leg-before to Snater and Australian Peter Handscomb was excellently snaffled at first slip by Cook as the visitors slumped to 31 for 3.Middlesex then produced their two, much needed, partnerships of note as Max Holden and Robbie White added 49 before Holden top-edged a sweep to the short boundary and was replaced by Jack Davies, who put on 67 with White.Related

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Neither White nor Davies scored at any great speed but ticked along, the former falling for 47 lbw to Paul Walter, while List A debutant Davies reached his half-century in 67 balls.Middlesex lost their last five wickets for 39 runs as Luke Hollman was lbw to Westley, James Harris chipped straight back to Harmer, Thilan Walallawita edged ten Doeschate behind and then the Dutchman produced cat-like reactions to pouch a return from Davies. Snater ended up at the top of the wicket pile, returning 3 for 45, as Ethan Bamber pulled into the leg side to end the innings.Essex’s chase looked in little doubt from the moment Will Buttleman cut Walallawita to the boundary with the fourth ball. Cook looked in sumptuous form with pure timing trumping outright power. An on-drive through midwicket, a straight drive and a push through the off side typified his style and got him motoring.Buttleman flicked straight to Robson at short midwicket, having put on 54, with Cook in a rare batting misjudgement from the hosts.Cook reached his 20th format fifty for Essex in 60 balls with a flick off his legs, with Westley unfurling some glorious stroke play as the duo reached a century partnership in 118 deliveries.Westley moved to his half-century in 59 balls before threatening to overtake his experienced partner, and eventually preventing him from reaching three figures.

A £35 million Tottenham regular in Ange Postecoglou's squad has been criticised, with one pundit believing chairman Daniel Levy should've sold him during the summer window.

Spurs enjoy productive summer window as four signings arrive

Spurs enjoyed a rather productive summer window, spending around £113 million on four key senior new additions in a season-long loan extension for Timo Werner, striker Dominic Solanke, the arrival of English sensation Archie Gray and a move for winger Wilson Odobert.

Spurs could repeat Dele Alli masterclass with "immense" £25m talent

Could Spurs be ready to complete another deal before next week’s deadline?

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 25, 2024

This doesn't include their deals for youngster Lucas Bergvall and South Korean wonderkid Min-hyeok Yang, who also sealed switches to north London for a further fee of around £12 million.

Levy, technical director Johan Lange and the wider Lilywhites recruitment team will be thrilled with their business overall, especially bringing in one of the country's most highly-rated talents in Gray whilst signing proven Premier League striker Solanke.

Tottenham also managed to rid themselves of deadwood at the eleventh hour, with wantaway midfielder Giovani Lo Celso sealing a last-gasp return to former club Real Betis in La Liga.

Timo Werner

RB Leipzig (loan)

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth

Archie Gray

Leeds

Wilson Odobert

Burnley

Lucas Bergvall

Djurgarden

Min-hyeok Yang

Gangwon FC

A condition of that deal is Spurs getting first refusal on a potential future move for USA international midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who the club must rate very highly if he was floated in talks over Lo Celso.

While Tottenham were reportedly offered a late chance to sign Josh Brownhill from Burnley, Postecoglou's side ultimately settled on their incomings for the window.

In terms of further outgoings after Lo Celso, it is believed left-back Sergio Reguilon was subject to late interest from abroad, but Spurs couldn't quite agree a deal to offload the Spaniard with his immediate future now up in the air.

The 27-year-old could still leave, as prominent transfer windows abroad are still open. Indeed, the Turkish, Portuguese and Dutch markets don't close until early September – and neither does the Saudi market.

Pundit slams "disappointing" Bissouma, insists Spurs should've sold

It is probably too late in the day for Yves Bissouma, though, as Spurs cannot source a replacement with the UK window shut.

Pundit John Wenham, speaking to Tottenham News before the deadline, said that Tottenham should've sold Bissouma and brought in a replacement during the summer – branding the £35 million Mali international a "disappointing" and "underwhelming" player under Postecoglou.

“If there is an option to replace Bissouma with a different midfielder, Spurs should do it,” Wenham said.

“What has he done since joining the club? He has been quite underwhelming. We haven’t seen anything like the Bissouma we saw at Brighton who would run the show against us when he played.

“On the whole, he has been a disappointing signing.”

Since arriving at N17 two years ago, Bissouma has gone on to make 57 appearances in all competitions, only recently scoring his first goal for the club last weekend against Everton.

Move is a “show of solidarity” in stand against abuse, racism and harassment

Matt Roller28-Apr-2021English cricket has announced that it will take part in a social media boycott this weekend in a “show of solidarity against online abuse”.Leading English football clubs and organisations released a statement on Saturday to announce that they would boycott all platforms from 3.00pm on Friday, April 30 until 11.59pm on Monday, May 3. The ECB, the 18 first-class counties, the eight women’s regional teams and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) confirmed on Wednesday that they would follow suit, following discussions this week.”In taking part in this boycott, we want to show solidarity with football and amplify its message that nobody should have to suffer abuse, racism or harassment on social media because they play, or are involved in professional sport,” the statement said. The boycott spans the majority of the fourth round of County Championship fixtures this season, with nine games starting on Thursday.Several England cricketers have been sent racial abuse via social media, with Jofra Archer posting screenshots of abusive direct messages on Instagram last year. “It isn’t ever acceptable and should be addressed properly,” he said at the time. Earlier this month, Moeen Ali was racially abused by a political activist via Twitter.The ECB has unveiled several recent measures aimed at tackling discrimination within English cricket over the last 12 months, and acknowledged the need for “meaningful change” last year following testimony from players and officials about their experiences of the game. Similar revelations have continued to emerge, and this month, Lawrence Booth wrote in the editor’s notes of : “By not taking a knee, cricket raised a finger… if cricket’s response to racism is one of expedience rather than repudiation, everyone loses.”Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, said: “As a sport, we are united in our commitment to fight racism and we will not tolerate the kind of discriminatory abuse that has become so prevalent on social media platforms.”We’re proud to add our voice to all those across sport who are sending the message that more can, and must, be done to eradicate online hate.”Social media can play a very positive role in sport, widening its audience and connecting fans with their heroes in a way that was never possible before. However, players and supporters alike must be able to use these platforms safe in the knowledge they do not risk the prospect of facing appalling abuse.”Rob Lynch, the PCA’s chief executive, said: “The PCA is fully supportive of the social media boycott as cricket stands together with football and other sports in a show of solidarity against online abuse.”Social media companies have to do more. Our members are often victims of horrific online abuse with little or no punishment for the perpetrators and this has to change.”A unified silence from players and the wider game is a powerful stance to show that our members will not allow social media companies, which have brought so much benefit to the game, to continue to ignore and fail to prioritise the need for appropriate legislation in protecting people against online discriminatory behaviour.”We continue to support our members while working collaboratively as a game to lobby the social media companies and the government through the Online Safety Bill for swift action in making social media a safer space for our members and wider society.”

Dan Christian sealed Karachi Kings’ chase, as Ravi Bopara’s 58 for Peshawar Zalmi went in vain

Sreshth Shah03-Mar-2021

Abbas Afridi had a successful debut outing with the ball in the PSL•Pakistan Super League

Early into the second innings, it finally seemed like a side batting first would win a game in PSL 2021. However, it wasn’t to be, as frequent dropped catches from the Peshawar Zalmi fielders combined with individual fifties for Babar Azam (77*) and Mohammad Nabi (67) secured the Karachi Kings’ comfortable victory at the National Stadium. The win briefly takes the Kings from fourth to first on the PSL 2021 points table. It also makes the streak of chasing sides winning to 13 in as many games.When Nabi joined Azam in the seventh over of the chase, the Kings were struggling at 43 for 3 in pursuit of 189. But they made full use of the chances offered by the Zalmi fielders to add 118 runs in less than ten overs. After Nabi’s dismissal in the 17th over, Dan Christian played an unbeaten cameo of 16 en route to hitting the winning runs, thereby completing a redemption arc for the Australian, having conceded 32 – the most expensive over in PSL history – in the last over of the first innings. It was a fitting end to the contest that a misfield for four brought an end to the game.There were some positives for the Zalmi, though, who were playing without regular captain Wahab Riaz, who was out due to a back niggle, and also Imam Ul Haq and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. At one stage in the first innings, they too were struggling at 69 for 4, and that they reached 188 for 5 was courtesy a 40-ball 58 from Ravi Bopara – who came into the XI for this match – and a 32-ball 46 from Sherfane Rutherford.Abbas Afridi gives Kings early boost
With Imam dropped from the XI, Zalmi had a new opening pair of Kamran Akmal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Together they got off to a positive start, adding 30 for the first wicket. But in the fifth over, PSL debutant Abbas Afridi – who was Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker at the last U-19 World Cup – got the breakthrough. Having troubled Akmal consistently in his first over, Abbas – nephew of former Pakistan quick Umar Gul – bowled a short ball that the batsman hit straight to third man. Four balls later, Abbas removed the struggling Kohler-Cadmore for 10 when the Englishman mistimed a flick to Sharjeel Khan at midwicket.Youngster Mohammad Ilyas then struck with the first ball of his match in the next over when stand-in captain Shoaib Malik was trapped lbw. That reduced the Zalmi to 34 for 3, after which Bopara and Haider Ali looked to cobble together a partnership. Although Abbas kept them quiet, the duo took on Imad Wasim for a 16-run eighth over. But the stand was broken when Christian got Ali in the tenth over, caught deep behind square on the leg side.Ravi Bopara and Sherfane Rutherford added 82 for the fifth wicket•Pakistan Super League

Bopara, Rutherford sizzle for Zalmi
At 69 for 4, the Zalmi were in big trouble, but their two overseas players Bopara and Rutherford changed the innings’ complexion. While Bopara started off slowly, Rutherford hit top gear from the beginning. He hit Arshad Iqbal for a six and four in the 11th over, after which both batsmen creamed Christian for another double-digit haul in the 12th.Soon after, the Zalmi were past three digits and the pair’s fifty partnership was reached in 40 balls. The fireworks then took place, as the Zalmi hit 79 off the last five overs. Rutherford’s back-to-back sixes off Ilyas bookended the 17th over. Bopara then reached his fifty off 38 balls in the 18th with a boundary. And when Rutherford fell for 46 next over, Zalmi had gone past 150, a fairly respectable score considering where they were in the powerplay.However, a score of 150-odd got a major boost in the final over when incoming batsman Amad Butt smacked 27 in a 32-run over. The hard-hitting allrounder hit three fours off the first three legal deliveries, then hit a six, and after Christian had to re-bowl the final delivery due to five wides, Butt smacked a six to end the over, taking his personal tally to 27 off seven and Zalmi’s score to 188 for 5.A top-order collapse for the Kings
The momentum of a positive end to the first innings had rubbed off on the Zalmi, and when the second innings started they struck first ball with the wicket of Sharjeel. Looking to pull Mohammad Imran, Sharjeel found Mohammad Irfan at short fine leg. Irfan then got among the wickets when he got a length ball to Joe Clarke to angle across, only for Clarke to poke a catch to the wicketkeeper.The quick two wickets, though, did not deter Azam from playing his shots. He punished loose balls from Irfan for back-to-back fours and then hit Saqib Mahmood for a four down the ground to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, he saw a third batting partner walk back when the out-of-form Colin Ingram mistimed a pull for a catch on the leg side. At that point, Kings were 43 for 3 and in a real bother.Nabi, Azam make full use of chances
Zalmi had already dropped a catch early when Ingram was given a reprieve early into his innings when Mahmood dropped a catch at mid-off. However, Ingram did not maximise that opportunity. But when the same was given to Nabi and Azam, then made full use.Nabi had shown early signs of being in pristine touch with the bat with a boundary off Butt and a six off Umaid Asif to start aggressively. In the 11th over, with his personal score at 20, he was dropped by Butt at deep midwicket. Not only did that dropped chance go for four, but Nabi also hit the next ball for six to move to 30 in the space of two deliveries and took the run-tally in the over to 21.Having dropped Nabi at the boundary, Butt then faced the full brunt of his mistake when he took the ball in the 14th. Nabi hit him for consecutive fours and a six in the space of three balls to bring up his 28-ball fifty and ended the over with another four to take 18 off the over. Midway through the 15th over, Azam picked Asif’s slower ball nice and early and deposited it into the crowd. The mid-overs assault from the two brought the equation down to a gettable 63 off five overs.Butt’s nightmare in the second innings, though, was far from over. He gave away five wides in the 16th with a slower ball gone wrong when the pressure began to shift from the Kings to the Zalmi. Azam then smoked him over deep midwicket to reach his fifty with a six. He then found the gap at midwicket to bring the hundred partnership up. And after that, he collected another six thanks to a drop by substitute fielder Imam when he failed to hold on to a catch after backpedalling near the boundary. Butt’s four overs went for 56, the most expensive spell by a Zalmi bowler, and that 25-over final over delivered by him brought the required run rate to under 10 with four overs to go.By then, the Zalmi shoulders had dropped and the Kings were rampaging towards victory. Although Nabi fell for his 35-ball 67 in the 17th, there was no pressure on the defending champions. The set Azam kept finding the boundaries and Christian had the opportunity to redeem himself for the 32 runs he had conceded in the first innings of the 20th with a short burst with the bat. And though Azam top-scored with 77, the Player-of-the-Match award went to Nabi.

Carlos Corberan boldly gave Tom Fellows more chances to impress in the West Bromwich Albion first-team mix last season and the Spaniard's choice to thrust the energetic 21-year-old into the spotlight has more than paid off.

The two-time England U20 international had only tasted Championship action four times before last campaign became his breakout moment at the Hawthorns, with four goals and three assists managed from 33 second tier contests.

The Baggies boss could attempt to inject more youthfulness into his squad with the arrival of this promising 20-year-old gem too, who was previously on the books at Everton.

West Brom make new bid for ex-Toffees youngster

As per football journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who also broke West Brom's initial interest in their desired target, the West Midlands club have gone back in for a new offer to try and tempt Standard Liege star Isaac Price to make a move back to England this summer.

Price was formerly on the roster at Goodison Park, but never quite made the anticipated breakthrough those on Merseyside would have predicted, with only three first-team appearances registered before a move to Belgium took shape.

West Brom are now awaiting the response of Liege, according to Tavolieri, with the Championship promotion hopefuls keen to bolster in the centre of the park, as Okay Yokuslu edges closer to leaving the Baggies to return to his native Turkey.

Price would able to fill that gap left behind by the 30-year-old's departure, but he would also be able to add even more exuberance to Corberan's camp, with the potential for him to cause havoc from the middle of the pitch alongside Fellows.

What Price could offer West Brom

The current Liege man would really excite those at Everton when he was still in and around the Premier League club's ranks, with five goals and five assists amassed from 64 U21 appearances.

As well as being labelled as a "magician" on social media by one insider, Price was also described as "terrific" by his ex-Everton youth coach in David Unsworth when still playing at Goodison, with his exit from Merseyside last year no doubt hurting those who thought the world of the raw 20-year-old.

Price's league numbers for Liege (23/24)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Price

Games played

37

Goals scored

1

Assists

2

Big chances missed

3

Big chances created

5

Touches*

45.0

Accurate passes*

22.1 (76%)

Tackles*

2.1

Ball recoveries*

4.4

Total duels won*

3.8

Stats by Sofascore

Taking a look at his numbers from his last full season in the Juplier Pro League, Price had taken to his new surroundings well, and will be able to offer the same bite and bravery Yokuslu used to provide for the Baggies week in, week out, with 3.8 total duels won on average per clash alongside his encouraging tackling statistics.

Yet, he could also be Corberan's next Fellows with his eye to burst forward as well as helping his team defensively proving to be useful for Liege, with 4.73 progressive passes registered per 90 minutes across the last year, according to FBref.

For context, the tenacious Fellows averaged just 1.56 across the same time span, with the homegrown product far more content at just rampaging forward with pacey runs.

The gung-ho pair could complement each other well, therefore, with the Northern Ireland international playing the Baggies number 30 into space, for Fellows to then slalom up the pitch.

There are plenty of other homegrown youngsters rising up the ladder at the Hawthorns that will excite Corberan and Co, but it looks as if the Championship side are also keen to snap up raw gems this summer when out shopping, with Price the next potential buy.

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Peshawar Zalmi have released Hasan Ali, their premier fast bowler – seemingly at his own request – to end a five-year-long relationship, and have retained only five players from their previous roster despite having the option to retain a maximum of eight. The other five PSL franchises have retained their full compliment. The teams will now go head to head at the draft, in Lahore on Sunday, to complete their squads.Karachi Kings, the defending champions, have retained their core pool of local players including Mohammad Amir and Babar Azam, but made a trade with Islamabad United to exchange Alex Hales and get Colin Ingram. The trade has also cost Islamabad their first pick in the first round of the diamond category to Karachi.Related

• Bite-sized guide to historic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final

Peshawar have retained Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik in the platinum category – which requires a maximum of two local or two overseas players. Hasan’s release, however, was the major development, as he had been with the franchise from the first season and is the second-highest wicket-taker in PSL history. He was retained by Peshawar last year in the highest category despite uncertainty surrounding his injury, and had subsequently undergone a seven-week rehabilitation. Although he featured last season, Hasan wasn’t at his best, picking up eight wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 8.59.Hasan was later dropped from the PCB’s list of central contracts and began the season with an injury cloud and out of national reckoning. But he then took over Central Punjab’s captaincy, turned his own fortunes around and lifted the team from the bottom of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy table at that stage to four wins in five games. Hasan picked up 43 wickets himself at an average of 20.06 and hit a blistering century in the final, against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which ended in a thrilling tie.”He was absolutely our first choice and we had no doubt about retaining him,” Peshawar head coach Mohammad Akram told ESPNcricinfo. “The kid [Hasan] started with us and we even picked him up at times when he was injured. Even this year he was the first name on top, but he was convinced that he needs move on.”So now we have to start afresh and start rebuilding all over again. It’s been five years and we have done well playing three finals and winning one, but now it’s time to reassess our options as there have been player availability issues. So retaining only five players means we are better off going into the draft.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Lahore Qalandars, runners-up last season, have managed to form their “ideal core” after five seasons. They struggled with injuries and player unavailability in the first few seasons, and languished at the bottom of the table more often than not.”It is a difficult process. For the last five seasons, we weren’t able to make a core of players, with injuries and unavailability of players,” Sameen Rana, co-owner of the franchise, told ESPNcricinfo. “But eventually we got what we had hoped for. This year it was an easy retention and we had no doubt about anyone. Each and every player was an automatic selection and are the ones who played a vital role in making into the final last season. I am extremely proud of them and these are the best players we can possibly have.”There was uncertainty around Fakhar Zaman, but we never wanted to let him go. We always wanted him at the top but it was impossible to slot him in the platinum category with Shaheen [Shah Afridi] and [Mohammad] Hafeez being the two locals, with room for just one overseas player. So it was a tough choice, but eventually we found an opportunity to retain him [Zaman] in the diamond category plus as a brand ambassador. He is a wonderful player and is part of our core.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Multan Sultans have retained Shahid Afridi and Rilee Rossouw in the platinum category while legspinner Imran Tahir was picked up in the diamond category with a mentor role. Quetta Gladiators continued their alliance with Sarfaraz Ahmed, retaining him in the platinum category while keeping two slots open in the highest category. Shane Watson – who has retired from the game – was released, while Umar Akmal who was suspended last season, remains banned and was released as a result.PSL 2021 is scheduled to start on February 20 in Karachi with the opening game between Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators. This year’s edition, with 34 matches, would be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Stadium in a bid to manage affairs effectively around the Covid-19 pandemic. The final is slotted for Lahore on March 22.

England boss Sarina Wiegman has highlighted some "huge" lessons for her Lionesses team after their "disappointing" 4-3 defeat to Germany on Friday.

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Article continues below

• England beaten 4-3 by Germany on Friday
• Lionesses were 3-0 down before half time
• Wiegman picks out 'huge learnings' from loss

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  England found themselves 3-0 down with less than half an hour on the clock at Wembley, with individual mistakes and the incisiveness of a lively Germany attack causing a mismatch in the Lionesses' defence that proved too much to come back from.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Georgia Stanway scored twice before the break to claw back some of that deficit and a poor error from Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger also allowed Lucy Bronze to get on the scoresheet as a wild game eventually ended 4-3. However, the scoreline flattered England, with Germany guilty of missing some big chances to extend their lead.

• WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  "I didn't want the result. I wanted us to do a couple of things better, and the players wanted that too. That was kind of disappointing but I thought it was a very high level game," Wiegman said after the game. "There were so many challenges for us but also for them. That's what we want in this stage. It gave us so much information on what we need to do better.

  "Defensively, [our problems] started with losing the ball in moments we didn't want to. We wanted to press high and didn't get that right in moments. They're really good on the counter and exploited us. Again, that's what we need to improve.

  "What we look at is how did the chances develop. Most came from transition moments. Those are huge learnings for the team. It's a team thing how we defended today. We had too many unforced mistakes and then they're gone because they're so explosive up front. If we're tight on the ball, we don't get into these moments."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Friday was the first time in almost 10 years that England had conceded three times in the first half of a match. The last occasion was also against Germany, in November 2014.